The Tony Award-winning musical, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is set on December 4, 1956, when an auspicious twist of fate brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley together for an impromptu jam session at the Sun Records recording studio, owned by record producer, Sam Phillips. He was responsible for launching the careers of each icon. The resulting evening became known as one of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll jam sessions in history.
This touring cast does a remarkable job bringing these music legends to life and gave me the chance to feel like I really saw Cash, Presley, Lewis and Perkins perform. Lee Ferris portrays Perkins just fine, but his guitar playing is what steals the show. That man can play. Martin Kaye personifies Jerry Lee Lewis’ incredibly athletic piano skills and vocal prowess, but the script limits the man to a buffoonish caricature, which can be true for most of the script. Make no mistake, the music is the star tonight. Derek Keeling portrays Johnny Cash with a deep bass that works perfectly in song, but is too heavy handed during dialogue. Lift the vocal tone up an octave on the words, then Keeling will be spot on with the man in black. Christopher Ryan Grant as Sam Phillips does a fine job moving the storyline along, providing most of the dramatic thrust of the show. The crowning glory of this jukebox road show is Cody Slaughter channeling the handsome young Elvis’ with jaw dropping accuracy and finesse. I could close my eyes and hear Elvis’ smooth vibrato, then open them to witness Elvis come alive on stage. It’s no wonder Slaughter was named the Presley Enterprises’ Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist of 2011.
The show moves along at a lively pace with no intermission. It’s more music fest than meaty storyline, so if you’re in the mood for some great music and a glimpse into how rock and roll began, then get down to the Segerstrom Center, cause there’s a whole lot of shakin’ goin’ on. MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET
Segerstrom Center for the Arts – Segerstrom Hall
April 24 – May 6, 2012
Tuesdays – Fridays at 7:30 p.m.
Saturdays at 2 and 7:30 p.m.
Sundays at 1 and 6:30 p.m.
Segerstrom Center for the Arts – Segerstrom Hall
600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA
Tickets: Start at $20; tickets go on sale February 26
When I was a little girl my grandmother, Joan McDonell, was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was too young to understand the pain, both physical and emotional that was brought into our family. I was just a little girl who loved her grandma and my memories of her will be cherished forever. Adventures to Disneyland and toy stores may seem to be a child’s favorite memories, but mine are of coming home from kindergarten to snuggle in bed with my grandma and pray the rosary together, watch countless Disney movies, and singing and dancing to Perry Como’s greatest hits. While she may not have been able to watch me grow up, she was able to peek around the door of my bedroom as I practiced and successfully tied my shoes for the first time.
In September of my senior year my best friend’s mother was diagnosed with lung cancer. The doctors said she wouldn’t make it past the holidays. On graduation day I remember walking onto the football field, and as I looked to my left I saw Karen with her family and nurses standing on the side line in the pouring rain to watch her children graduate. I was so excited to see her I ran to give her a hug. Shortly after that rainy graduation day, Karen passed away. At the time I felt so helpless, not knowing how to help my grieving friends.
Today there is actually a lot we can do to help families and friends who have experienced such a painful loss in their lives. We can help by donating our time and a bit of money to organizations such as Relay For Life. This Friday I will be walking with my Alpha Chi Omega sorority sisters of ASU’s Zeta Pi chapter in memory of my grandma Joan, Karen and all those whose lives have been touched by cancer. A young woman can pledge many things, to be loyal to a sorority, her faith, her grandmother’s memory. Please join my pledge to help beat cancer.
Relay For Life is an event put on by the American Cancer Society to celebrate all those who have suffered through this terrible disease, and to raise money for those who are still fighting. Relay is an overnight event that unites our community in a common effort to raise much-needed funds for cancer research, education, advocacy, and patient services.
Cancer has taken the life of one too many. We all know someone who has experienced the effects cancer has on a person as well as their family and friends. With your help, I hope that one day nobody has to look at cancer as a death sentence. This year Alpha Chi Omega at Arizona State hopes to raise a minimum of $22,000 for Relay For Life. Every year, the funds we raise help bring the American Cancer Society one step closer to eliminating cancer from our lives for good, but we can’t stop now. There is no finish line until there’s a cure. Any donation you are able to make will help. Just click here then click ‘Donate to our team’.
Thank you so much for taking the time to change lives.
Sincerely,
I do a lot of giveaways on this theater blog, and I love being able to give the gift of theater experiences to you. Theater can create wonderful moments and emotions that fill our souls. Today I want to fill your soul in a new way. Instead of giving something away, I’m going to ask you to give.
I have a good friend, Moira, whom I’ve known since high school. Her son, Martin, is one of our fine soldiers helping to do good over in Afghanistan. Moira is amazing at supporting her son and his friends, sending care packages on a regular basis filled with non perishable foods and other items to help make life a little more bearable over in the big sand pit, as they call it. Moira is sending Martin 20 bottles of Avon’s bug repellant that he and his buddies say is the best at killing the monster mosquitoes in Afghanistan. I’m helping her get the bottles at cost, because it just doesn’t feel right to make a profit when it comes to helping our soldiers.
Now here’s where you come in. I want to raise money so we can send even more bottles of bug guard to our soldiers. Let’s help out in a simple way to send our soldiers something they really need. If we all join in then it can turn into a really nice way to support our soldiers who do so much for our nation.
As someone who could never learn how to do a proper cartwheel, I am always impressed with those who seem to defy gravity with awe-inspiring acrobatics like the kind of amazing stunts performed in TRACES. I got to do a Q & A with Bradley Henderson, one of the artists in Traces, opening at Segerstrom Center for the Arts on Tuesday, February 28th. Enjoy the interview below and the winner of last week’s ticket giveaway will be announced at the end of the post!
Drama Momma: What kinds of sports or activities did you do as a child?
Bradley Henderson: I always went to the park by my house to play basketball and I used my skate board to get around San Francisco where I am from. I was in gymnastics for about a year at a young age, but by the time I was 8 years old I started training at the Circus School of San Francisco.
Drama Momma: How did you get involved in this profession?
Bradley Henderson: My parents put me into everything at the beginning, but after elementary school it was my decision to stick with it. For sure my parents helped me find the way. At age 18 is when I decided to go to the National Circus School of Montreal.
Drama Momma: Who are your role models?
Bradley Henderson: One of my biggest role models, in terms of circus, is my old coach from San Francisco Mr. Lu Yi – he does everything the right way, he lives his life so positively, that and the way that he taught me to train, has made him my biggest role model.
Drama Momma: Who and what inspires you to perform?
Bradley Henderson: The biggest influence on me have been the founders of 7 Fingers. They showed me, in a very inspiring way how to impress the audience by the way their shows connect with the audience. The style of 7 Fingers is what is attractive to me – it made me want to be on stage just like them.
Drama Momma: What are your long term performance or artistic goals?
Bradley Henderson: My long-term goals are to create something on my own, either a solo piece or a small group number – while I am still able to perform I would like to create something for myself. Because I am so passionate about circus, I would like to stick with it for a long time.
Drama Momma: What’s been your best memory/experience on tour?
The premiere in New York City was magical. Performing with the other artists onstage that night; the energy was mind-blowing.
Drama Momma: What’s your most dangerous move?
Bradley Henderson: My most dangerous move in the show is probably when I do the monkey swing from pole to pole. I literally swing like a money between two giant poles, climbing higher with each swing –if I were to miss when I was high up on the pole there is no way of knowing where I would land, who or what I would hit. So yeah, you don’t want to fly off the pole.
Drama Momma: There must be a high level of trust between all the performers. How long does it take to gain full trust of a new member?
Bradley Henderson: If the new member is someone you haven’t known, it can take a while to develop the trust, but you can tell right away if someone has good training. If they do, then you can trust that they will be “there” during the tricks. If it is a very difficult trick and you have to really rely on someone then you do need to get to know them first because it is pretty easy to tell when everything is going to be OK once that trust is established – there really isn’t a big margin for error in most tricks – they either work or it is not going to be safe. When something is not safe, you won’t do it, because you take every necessary step to make all tricks safe. That being said, something can always go wrong so you just have to stay focused.
Drama Momma: What makes this show so great for families and kids?
Bradley Henderson: What makes TRACES so great for families is kids is seeing the balance between the crazy tricks that we do on stage and the humor that comes out during the show. Kids and families also like to see how we are able to pull off the difficult tricks, but keep it fun and light and see us having a good time.
TRACES combines awe-inspiring acrobatics with infectious urban energy. Entertainment Weekly hailed it as, “The most fun and memorable 90 minutes you will have all year.” Time Out NY gave TRACES its highest “FIVE STARS” rating, describing it as a thrilling modern brand of circus with a street smart twist.
Ticket Giveaway Winner: Congratulations, Tommy May. Enjoy the show!
Segerstrom Center for the Arts – Segerstrom Hall
February 28 – March 4, 2012
Segerstrom Center for the Arts – Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA
Think Cirque on steroids without the freaky makeup and costumes. That is the high energy show of TRACES, mixing high-risk street performance acrobatics with music, dance, skateboarding, and basketball to make a lasting theatrical experience. Traces opens on February 28th, flipping tumbling and wowing OC audiences through March 4th.
TRACES, which has been called “a whole new kind of awe-inspiring theatre” is spectacularly anti-spectacle, relying instead on the fantastic abilities of the performers, individuals who appear to be nothing more than a group of friends, just as easygoing, affable and potentially clumsy as the guy next door – until they unleash 90 minutes of heart-stopping acrobatics and unbridled energy that leave audiences breathless and exhilarated. TRACES is the ultimate affirmation of life and a celebration of the particular talents of endearing young artists so eager to please that they literally jump through hoops for you.
Drama Momma and Segerstrom Center for the Arts are teaming up to give away a family four-pack of tickets to see this amazing show. Enter a comment describing your favorite acrobatics, gymnastics memory of your experience with, to win. Winner will be picked on Saturday Feb 25th.
Do you get tired of saying the same things to your kids over and over with no results? “Pick your dirty clothes up off the floor.” “Don’t leave those dirty dishes in the sink.” “Finish your homework before you play that video game.” You know, stuff like that. Of course, this is a rhetorical question. Nothing frustrates a parent more than being ignored and disrespected, but seriously people, the loop tape of politically correct parental nagging we’ve been lulled into just doesn’t work. So here’s what we need to do to nip this in the bud right now: say it once and then take action.
Case in point: meet Tommy Jordan. He’s a dad whose life has gone viral due to a video he posted on his daughter’s Facebook page Wednesday morning when he discovered she majorly disrespected her parents to all her friends on her Facebook page. His video speaks for itself so watch it now if you aren’t one of the 13.5 million people who’ve already seen it. Warning: PG-13 language from a pissy teen is read out loud, so watch this with your little ones out of the room.
What Tommy Jordan did was Parental Shock and Awe. Parents need to stop nagging and TAKE ACTION. Not necessarily by taking a .45 to their kid’s stuff, mind you, but we must stop nagging while our kids have earplugs in and us on mute. Our kids are not taking us seriously and it’s our own fault. So let’s knock it off, shall we?
If we take the Tommy Jordan approach, we say something once and if our kids choose to ignore the request, then we must TAKE ACTION with swift parental justice and shock the heck out of our kids with huge “I’m going to put a stop to it right now” disciplinary action.
I’ve taken away iPads, I’ve taken away privileges. I don’t claim to have all the answers by any means, so let’s put our heads together and brainstorm ideas on how to put Operation Parental Shock and Awe into action and start teaching our children to be appreciative of all the things and opportunities they do have and what it means to be respectful and polite in today’s society.
Have a good day, y’all, and talk it up. I’m listening.
If you’ve never been to the Maverick Theater in Fullerton, give yourself a post holiday present and take in the February run of Prelude to a Kiss. The Pulitzer and Tony-nominated comedy written by Craig Lucas is the story of two young lovers whose whirlwind romance and new marriage takes an unexpected turn when an unknown old man happens upon the wedding reception and congratulates the young bride with a kiss.
With this kiss newlywed bride, Rita, and the old man become bound in a magical twist of fate that sends Rita and her new husband on a mysterious journey. The true strength of their love is tested beyond the surface connections that first drew them together, awakening each to a painful knowledge of the complexities of love.
Jax DiBenedetto, gracefully navigates Rita’s soulful transformation from young bride to elderly man, not only with body language and vocal inflections, but with her entire being. Ben Green plays Peter as an insecure man who blossoms in Rita’s presence. His adoration lights the way like a beacon in the night toward unraveling the metaphysical wife swap mystery. DiBenedetto and Green exude a magnetic attraction laced with wistful eye contact and playful banter, leading to sultry kisses. Director David Chorley choreographs their physical romance with delicacy suitable for the play’s romantic comedy style and OC’s palate. Like an expensive perfume, there’s a sweet romantic vibe with an underlayment of sexual undertones, making this my pick for a sweet February date night. Get a babysitter and hold hands in the dark as the story unfolds.
Supporting cast members Michael Buss and Sherry Domerego as Rita’s parents add a comfortable blend of humor and plot nuance. Ryan Young as Peter’s boisterous buddy, Taylor, gets lots good laughs but may need a bit of floss to clear the chewing of scenery from his teeth.
Robert Kokol plays The Old Man with a lovely mix of melancholy and joie de vivre. His portrayal of a young Rita encased in an elderly vessel illustrates life’s bittersweet irony. Maybe we can only truly appreciate life as we approach the end of our journey.
The rapport among the three lead actors, their collaboration in bringing alive the humor that Lucas has woven into the characters’ awkward situation, lets the whole story sing. Cast and director have created moments worth savoring. Book your tickets now to surprise your honey with a February theater fling.
When: Through February 19th. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 4 p.m. Sundays
Where: Maverick Theater, 110 E. Walnut Ave., Suite B, Fullerton
Cats were prowling the theater at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. A series of vignettes based on a book of poems by T.S. Elliot: Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, this show is equal parts kitty opera and prance off. The fantastical, world of Jellicle cats are gathered together for their yearly Jellicle Ball and take turns performing in hopes of being chosen by the benevolent leader, Old Deuteronomy, to ascend to the Heavyside Layer and come back to a new life.
The original Broadway choreography stands the test of time and I loved recognizing the opening number Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats’ choreography which I learned during college years of musical theater dance classes. The opening number is a CATS standard for the theater geek and I got goosebumps – a fine foreshadowing of the feline fun to come.
Directed and choreographed by Richard Stafford, who based his presentation on the original direction of Trevor Nunn and choreography of Gillian Lynne, CATS still holds the audience captive, even if my son’s eyelids did start to droop halfway through Act II, which can be attributed more to late night homework sessions rather than any loss of interest in the prowling and prancing on stage.
Alex had two favorite numbers that he’s been talking about all week. The acrobatic duet Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer, performed by Daniel Switzer and Hillary Porter, is probably the most physically taxing numbers to dance and sing simultaneously, and is a definite crowd pleaser. Alex’s other fave number was the well known Magical Mr. Mystoffolees, surely the most intricate and challenging dance solos in the show (sung by Chris Stevens as Rum Tum Tuggger and flawlessly danced by Chaz Wolcott as Mr. Mystoffolees).
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s famous cat ballad, Memory, is Grizabella the Glamour Cat’s soliloquy remembering her youthful days in the sun. I found this tour’s interpretation of Grizabella to be odd, but the opening night audience loved Melissa Grohowski’s performance. The tattered cat is old and weary, but Grohowski’s Grizabella had a overly pronounced limp and one heck of a repetitive twitch. The makeup design gave her the look of (dare I say it?) road kill complete with drooping bloody lip. The glamour cat’s makeup should’ve read as withered glamour and sadness, but as Grizabella made her limping, twitching entrance, Alex leaned over and whispered to me, “Is that a zombie cat?” Grizabella the Zombie Cat? Not quite Webber and Nunn’s vision, I’m sure, but it gave us the giggles. I mean, what nine year old boy doesn’t love a good zombie cat?
Christopher E. Sidoli was perfect as the old, palsy-plagued Asparagus (“Gus”) and the larger-than-life Tigergrowl. He skillfully mastered the acting transition from worn-out theatre has been — complete with aged voice and shaking paw -– to the younger version of “Gus” playing Tigergrowl on stage. His singing voice was strong and rich, and he was absolutely playful and charming in the role.
My personal favorite performance of the night was given by OC native, Madison Mitchell as Demeter. Demeter and Bombalurina (Ashley Chasteen) perform a slow and sultry duet in Macavity: The Mystery Cat. Mitchell’s feline grace paired with a velvety mezzo soprano made for a mesmerizing performance. Think silky fur, slow cat walk and quick reflexes: the quintessential feline.
This national touring company congers a fantastical music and dance experience for the whole family. Meow.
There are times when a Broadway musical comes to town and I’m excited because I love the score, lyrics and choreography. Other times I anticipate seeing a show because I know someone in the cast. The National Tour of Cats pouncing upon the Segerstom stage this month is a purrrfect blend of both, as Orange County native, Madison Mitchell, stars as Demeter, the skittish cat who sings with Grizabella the Glamour Cat in the show’s most famous song, Memory.
Madison, I’m so proud of you for achieving and living your childhood dream. Your talent is amazing and I can’t wait to see you prance, dance and chase your tail on stage at Segerstrom.
Cats Cast with OC Native Madison Mitchell (photo credit Joan Marcus)
The show that revolutionized musical theater is coming to Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Orange County for eight performances January 17 – 22. Tickets for CATS go on sale Sunday, November 27 at 10 a.m. PST. Tickets start at $20 and will be available online at SCFTA.org, by calling (714) 556-2787 and at the Box Office at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa. For inquiries about group ticket discounts, call the Group Services office at (714) 755-0236. The TTY number is (714) 556-2746.
Produced by CATS-Eye, LLC, the national tour of CATS is the only production in North America sanctioned by Andrew Lloyd Webber. With original direction by Trevor Nunn and choreography by Gillian Lynne, this is the CATS credited with the British invasion of Broadway.
Based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, and with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, CATS won seven 1983 Tony® Awards including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Lighting and Best Costumes.
CATS
Segerstrom Center for the Arts – Segerstrom Hall
January 17 – 22, 2012
Tuesday – Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sundays at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Segerstrom Center for the Arts – Segerstrom Hall
600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA
Tickets: Start at $20; tickets on sale Sunday, November 27
The world famous Pageant of the Masters is looking for volunteers to participate in the 2012 summer show of “The Genius”. Open casting calls will be held at the Irvine Bowl on the Festival of Arts grounds in Laguna Beach. Be a part of the magic of living pictures. It’s a great summer family fun activity!
As a college student on summer break thirty years ago, I was a pageant volunteer. I worked at Las Brisas restaurant during the day and performed in the pageant at night. The show is double cast so the commitment is every night every other week. Volunteers will perform in the pageant seven nights in a row, then will have seven nights off. You can ask approved substitutes (same body type and height) to step in if you have a schedule conflict, so don’t let the time commitment keep you away. It’s an experience you’ll remember for the rest of your life. Whole families volunteer each year, so talk to your family and discuss the possibility of being a part of something wonderful this summer.
Here are just a few of the pieces of art being recreated this summer
John Singer Sargent: The Oyster Gatherers of Cancale
NORMAN ROCKWELL: Picasso vs. Sargent
Samuel Morse: Gallery of the Louvre
Paul Manship: Armilary Sphere (Cycle of Life)
Casting Call- “The Genius”
Irvine Bowl: 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach
Saturday, January 7th, 7pm – 9pm
Sunday, January 8th: 2 – 5pm
Thursday, January 12th: 7 – 9 pm
Or call for an appointment after January 12th
Volunteers of all ages are needed. No theater experience necessary.
For more information call (949)494-3663 or visit the pageant website.
You should be in Pictures!
The king of trial and error Thomas Edison once famously said, “Genius is one percent inspiration and 99% perspiration.” Few people are more aware of the amount of time and effort that will be required to turn her inspiration into the 2012 Pageant of the Masters than its director Diane Challis Davy. But, even as she finalizes her selections of artworks for next summer’s world-famous theatrical celebration of art in “living pictures” – tableaux vivants – Challis Davy is excited about the possibilities inherent in its theme, The Genius.
“The theme actually originated back in 2009 when we produced The Muse,” Challis Davy explained. “That show examined women’s roles in making and inspiring art, and was selected from a feminine point of view. I thought it would be interesting to craft a ‘companion’ show, one with a masculine sensibility, focusing on the power, strength and intelligence inherent in masterful works of art.”
Longtime Pageant scriptwriter Dan Duling, already busy researching the narration for the show, added, “Genius exists in every field of endeavor, and it’s a fantastic source for moving stories of triumph, tragedy and courage. If you’re looking for inspiration, this show is going to dare you to think big.”
